Put me down for 125 points. Fuck it.
Bucky, I want you to know that I hate you for this, almost as much as I hate myself.
Steve can't write poetry. Steve lacks sensitivity, and a heart.
Actually it's a pretty well known fact teenagers can only write shitty, embarrassing poetry about how life is pain and no one understands them. (I've yet to see a poetry thread here disprove this.)
I feel really bad for the judges tbh.
Mizal's right, I'd sooner off myself than write anything resembling poetry, so I'll pass.
It's odd deducting points from people that don't usually do anything wrong, but it's actually sort of fun.
Nah. The point incentive is alluring, but I'm no poet.
If I join, I'm probably never getting my points back xD
It'll probably also be my one and only penalty >_<
Give me a day and 2 hrs to think on this.
Put me down for 25 points. I'm going to do this.
If the entry does not need to be a CYOA how would they be published? as posts?
Most likely as a post in Writing Workshop, I think. :)
Which would be like the Christmas gift for Mizal thing.
Event though I have proven time after time I am a lazy asshole with no appreciation for proper grammar, I'm in. If it's something like a poem then I'm rather interested. Make it 75 points please.
I know it's a stupid question, but is there a limit between lengths of poems?
(Ex, Limited amount of words??)
Can you please put me down for 25 points? It's all I can afford, hehe...
I'm in! Put me down for 125 points.
Making a list... Mizal 125 IAP 125 Malk 125 Mason 25 Lancelot 75 Orange 25 Negative 125 Romulus 125
I would like to point out that Steve was online to post in another thread a few hours ago, but notably too much of a coward to enter this. Poetry, his one weakness?
Make the next contest about editing and force him completely out.
I, for one, think that despite all of his boasting, he's afraid to lose to me twice... :P
I did post earlier, specifically to call out poetry as something fags do that I won't touch.
Alright, I'm actually going try to be serious this time since I have my Christmas break coming up and I just finished my exams. Put me down for 25 points.
Screw it, put me down for 25.
Please sign me up for 125 points :) I don't think I'll win but I want to give this a go :D
Is @ISentinelPenguin entering? I vaguely recall he likes poetry.
He has such an annoying name.
So to clarify: a ballad is composed in the form of stanzas, which are four sentences each. A ballad must consist of at least two stanzas, although more than two would be recommended. It must tell a story, in a direct and detailed manner, preferably in a way invoking emotion from the reader. Is that correct?
I might start working on something I could have submitted had I joined this contest, but every time I sign up for a writing contest that goes more than a few paragraphs without submitting something I've already had pre-prepaired, I end up getting too ambitious and fucking myself until the time runs out. A lot of the Halloween Contest that didn't happen was me giving Mason all this "Artistic direction" bullshit and planning out all the things that were going to happen in my sections, trying to see what I could fit in the timeframe and struggling to scrub any possible narm out of the monster encounters I had been planning out. And I'm absolutely godawful at cutting scenes and things to meet deadlines, I usually just rewrite the scene or start summarizing what happened, which makes the original story I had planned, but shitty.
I'll enter. Deduct a full 125 points from me, please. I only request that, in the reason for deduction, the mod adds "did nothing wrong" simply because I do not wish for others who did not know of this contest to misinterpret it.
Also, @Steve24833 is not entering because he's Irish. Everybody knows that Irishmen are not man enough to enter this contest.
Actually, the Irish have a great history when it comes to ballads. Lots of classics there. Steve is simply hiding behind the excuse of 'poetry is for faggots' because he's intimidated, and perhaps ashamed at being unworthy of the legacy of his his countrymen.
I'm working on the ballad, and I have but one question:
Can we make it a rhyming poem to quicken progression?
What I'm asking is it okay that my story is more attuned to a rhyming poem with shorter sequences of emotional stress? I'm trying to make it easier as a CYOA.
Awesome.
Checking it twice...
Mizal 125 IAP 125 Malk 125 Mason 25 Lancelot 75 Orange 25 Negative 125 Romulus 125 SMTC 25 Minnie 25 Will 125 WIBN 125 Seto 125
Put me down for 125, please :)
Note: It feels rather odd for me to have a penalty xD
Excuse me, but what would be the recommended length for one of these? As a CYOA, do you expect it to be very long?
Alright. Going to try and get as much as I can into this.
So wait, can we upload our entrys right away or do we need to wait until the thread is up?
I thought that as well.
Lol no i'm not done. Just curious.
Can I still enter even if I have ?negative points? I might not, but I'm thinking about it and am wondering if I can.
There aren't any points you can bet, so I don't think so :c
However, you can get points from rating storygames, and you're almost there...
They could just bet with shit they don't have. People do it all the time in gambling.
I can put Crescent down for 125, though unless she wins, she's not actually going to get those points back.
Yeah but it’s more amusing for me if she goes into debt and be several points in the hole!
Your amusement is contagious. I think I might just not do this contest. Maybe. When's the last day I can be able to enter; as in, can I enter on the very last day or are the entry fees due at a certain time?
*Yawn* What date is it? December 3... I guess I have a week before extensive studying sets in...
Er... I have a question then. Does the ballad have to tell a story of events or can I tell the results of consecutive events depicted in the mind as descriptions? As in, more of a story of changing emotions/feelings/ideals or of expo/conflict/resolution?
Yep! Um. How long do you expect it to be? I have never written a ballad before... Would it be as long as a normal short story? (5<x<10 pages roughly?) I know it was said that it wasn't really specified, but I want to check.?? Also. About rhyming. You said it wasn't necessary, but you recommend AABA (or something)? You were talking about the same thing... Right? I know i said I had one question, but I'm considering entering now... (Sorry for punctuation issues. My phone is not compatible with CYS.)
Okay. I can try to comment on them too.
Challenge accepted and completed. I now have 30 points. Kehehe. I still don't think I'll enter this. I have too much work (studying...) outside of more creative writing. I would've loved to though, but I'm sure you guys are relieved I didn't do this contest. xD
I apologize for being wrong ^^; Guess you could enter then :) Good luck!
Who said one couldn't bet their negative points for a positive opportunity? :)
Are we limited to one entry each?
Each entry would cost some more points I would think. I can put you down for another 125 if you want.
Darn, this might actually tempt me out of my writing hibernation...
Were you planning on submitting more than one entry?
Remember I can put you or anyone else for that matter for another 125 points per entry.
Put me down for 75 please
Before anyone says anything. This guy isn't Pugtaco. (Or if it is him, he's managed to fool everyone!)
Lol, that's some nice preemptive mod work, End.
I made that assumption when I saw the name, but he has decent stories in the works and the account is five years old. Ballads and points just bring people out of the woodwork, I guess.
Been a very long lasting lurker here and finally decided to do something
“riming skills are not all that good.” Fortunately, it’s not that kind of contest. If it was, Steve would have signed up and licked everyone as usual.
@Digit
You already did a poem story thingy, up for a repeat?
What the hell, why not.
Put me down for 125.
You guessed right, ballads are my jam.
What's a ballad?
Click the link Bucky included in the thread.
Join the contest Dan, Mizal wants to see what robot poetry looks like.
Then maybe s/he (I don't know what Mizal is) should ask a robot to write a poem for him/her.
Naughty… Mizal 125 IAP 125 Malk 125 Mason 25 Lancelot 75 Orange 25 Negative 125 Romulus 125 SMTC 25 Minnie 25 Will 125 WIBN 125 Seto 125 Pugpup 75 Mayana 125 Digit 125
You got me... I'll put down however many points I got.
Done.
Thot is in for 125 points. She only gets points back now if she wins.
Only if she wins? Is that in the rules, am I misreading, or is that extra punishment?
If you go into debt, you only get the points back if you win.
Damn... That's harsh. Lucky IF I enter with 25 points I'll get them back. Phewf. *waves hand dismissively* I'll probably enter for 25 when I'm sure I can do it. Until then.
Still Naughty… Mizal 125 IAP 125 Malk 125 Mason 25 Lancelot 75 Orange 25 Negative 125 Romulus 125 SMTC 25 Minnie 25 Will 125 WIBN 125 Seto 125 Pugpup 75 Mayana 125 Digit 125 Ford 125 Thot 125
When was that thread to post our entries going up again?
Though I might just set this aside, still mulling over ideas for something more ambitious.
Since this is a quite excellent way to procrastinate during exam season, and I kinda already finished a poem, put me down for another 125... I'm going to regret this, aren't I?
Rom is in for 250 now. Can any of you truly call yourselves competitors without doing the same?
Well, since I'm still struggling with my first ballad, I think I'm going to play it on the safe side and make this one before thinking about making more.
God, I haven't done this in awhile XD
I haven't written a ballad before, and trying to make imagery, plot, and song-likeness in one poem looks intimidating.
I'm interested. Put me down for 125 points. C:
It'd be nice to at least try to participate in a contest, but writing a ballad? Entry fee? miss me with that gay shit boi I think I'll pass.
o
Are there any expectations on length at all? I think that is a fair question. Would 20 lines, for example, if well written be acceptable, or are lengthier entries more encouraged?
Still Naughty…
Mizal 125 IAP 125 Malk 125 Mason 25 Lancelot 75 Orange 25 Romulus 250 SMTC 25 Minnie 25 Will 125 WIBN 125 Seto 125 Pugpup 75 Mayana 125 Digit 125 Ford 125 Thot 125 Hatter: 125 SHAME FOREVER
Negative
Okay so you're in for another 125. I'll just mark that in addition to your resurrection fee.
Whoa that is a high price for coming back...
Sometimes dead is better...
I'm thinking about this. I have allot of appreciation for ballads, but I'm not sure I'm fit for the task.
There are many, many things I regret in my time here on Earth. From the very, very present to my very, very birth. I shall add this to that long, long list of transpired aberrations. Put me down for 125 and I shall create my abominations.
Looks like you'll have to update your profile since you are indeed participating in the contest :P
Oh, and I see that you have your own title as well :o That's pretty cool.
Ah yes, I forgot about that decision.
And thank you, though Seto is the one who came to that inclusion.
Is that so? I certainly find it interesting. So much so that I have my own special title now :3
Well, good luck with the contest, Banner.
Mmmh, apple pie...
And thank you, I'll complete this ballad; that's not a lie!
Oof i'm feeling so impatient...
I can't wait to see the awesome things everyone writes!
God Damn, you had to do this during finals week!?
*Sigh* put me down for 125 points.
Glad you're joining! Ballads are a good fit with the kind of stuff you write IMO, but I wasn't sure if you'd be around in time to write anything.
Also my next question is when writing it, should we write it the same way we'd write a storygame? As in, click on Create a Storygame, then write our ballad.
If you want to make it a CYOA-style ballad, you can, but there's going to be a thread put up for non-CYOA-style entries directly onto that thread.
But even though the thread isn't up yet, we CAN start writing our stories now?
Yes. How else will you get it finished? (Why else would this contest be posted now? To give people some time to write!)
That moment when lack of sleep destroys my common sense...
As Naughty As They Wanna Be… Mizal 125
IAP 125
Malk 125
Mason 25
Lancelot 75
Orange 25
Romulus 250
SMTC 25
Minnie 25
Will 125
WIBN 125
Seto 125
Pugpup 75
Mayana 125
Digit 125
Ford 125
Thot 125
Hatter 125
Banner 125
Bilbo 125
SHAME FOREVER
Negative 250
I'm already deep in the hole, but screw it, I'm feeling it. Put me down for 250.
Now that's what I like to see in a contestant, complete disregard for the consequences and doubling down with shit they don't even have!
Okay, 250. You'll have to submit two stories/ballads and win the contest to get any points.
Good luck!
How exciting! ^-^
Damn, that's a risky move. I hope you manage to get out of, "The Hole."
It's going to start snowballing. Maybe they'll purposely not vote his ballads so that he can't win. xD
That would be so cruel XD
One less contestant to worry about.
What did you think was gonna happen....?
You'll get your points back and you'll get the points from the reward for winning. So you should be back in the positive if you win. You don't need to win with both submissions, just one of them will do.
Having multiple submissions just increases your odds of winning, but you're also risking more.
I can put you down for another 125 if you think it will increase your chances...
Lol. I don't think you should push your luck. XD
@EndMaster Just to be clear -- that means if I hand in both of them and win, I'll get 100 points in addition to my 250 points back?
Yeah, you always get the 100 reward for winning.
Hey End!
How do you like a contestant with even more disregard for consequences and quadrupling bets that he can't pay for?
Put me down for another 250. I'm ready to crush the competition!
... This can't be serious XD
I hope you do well though! ^-^
The way I see it, the only way I could really go is up. I got the plans for the first 2 done, am currently writing them in my notepad, and will get to work on the other two shortly. Plus, the weekend gives me free time.
I'm certainly the underdog here.
T-Count is now in for 500
If this was real life, he'd currently be selling his car and wife's wedding ring because he already used all their life savings and their children's college fund.
And he'd STILL be in debt to the mob.
So far he's my favorite contestant.
Put me down for 25 points.
The Naughty…
Ben 25 Mason 25 Minnie 25 Orange 25 SMTC 25 Lancelot 75 Pugpup 75 Banner 125 Bilbo 125 Digit 125 Ford 125 Hatter 125 IAP 125 Malk 125 Mayana 125 Mizal 125 Seto 125 WIBN 125 Will 125 Romulus 250 The Hopeless… Thot 125 Negative 250 The Damned… T-Count 500
Aaaaaaaannnnnnnnddddddd...... I'm done! I may not be the best at storygames, but poetry is my forte. Just didn't wanna enter at first bc of the point fee, but went ahead anyway. Although I will admit that the ballad is based off an Irish folk story, the character's names, everything that is said, and even some minor parts of the story are of my own design.
The Damned… T-Count 500
Thank you for the vote of confidence.
So, uh, just put me for the whole 125 points instead of 75. I feel like doing just 75 is kinda cowardly at this point.
Can I change my bet from 25 to 125 or is that not allowed? If it isn't, may I add 125 to my bet?
You can do either, or both if you want.
How about both; I'm almost done with one.
You do realize this'll put you in the negative?
Trust me, it's not that fun here...
Put you down for another 225.
Put me down for 125 please. :D
The Naughty… Ben 25
Providence 25
Frank 100
Crescent 125
Lancelot 125
Mizal 250
The Hopeless…
Yellow 50
Orange 250
The Damned…
T-Count 500
Damn, I'm in 'The Hopeless'.
You put yourself there, buddy. Looks to me like the only way to pull yourself out of the hole with extra points to spare is to bet the full 125, so you get that 30 point bonus.
Yeah, but I'm a stubborn mule who thinks they can win first place. Even though chances are low. Minimum chances.
I hope you realize rating your game an 8 won't increase your chances of winning.
Okay, this is hilarious. I can't wait for the people who are betting so much to lose.
There. I said it.
*cries*
HA! @MasonJarGuzzi, you git! Guess how many points you got back?!
SHAME, git, SHAME!
I had to get that off my chest.
25 points because I don't trust myself enough for more than that
Put me down for 125 more, I'll see what I can do this weekend.
Gosh darn it.
Excuse me for inquiring, but would you happen to be writing a CYOA ballad?
edit: @mizal Sorry if I'm being intrusive.
I don't share information with the enemy.
"I'm curious what plans you have for your ballad too, since that's the one with the rapidly approaching deadline and all. No one's talked much about what they're working on, I'm still waiting to see if anyone attempts an actual CYOA in that style." -mizal (In Seto's procrastination thread)
I'll answer that here. I have slightly less than two pages for my, metered in the beginning, certain rhyme patterns that drop off near the end, and a Christmas-y-ish theme to it.
Obviously, she tries to lure info out of us while remaining discreet herself. No good spy.
(Not that I could judge.)
Lol. I don't mind sharing information if I can help (though I won't be precise about it).
I will let on that I'm writing something very stupid right now, and it wasn't what I planned.
Oh. Will you also divulge information on if you have any themes to it? >~< Or am I asking for too much?
100
Also, I used this as my format rhyme scheme. Who the hell do I send it to or do I post it here?
As said previously by Bucky and repeated multiple times, there's supposed to be a thread put up for it.
Understand I wouldn't have asked if I bothered to read the other 191 posts. Other than the initial post there was no reason for me to read anymore.
You're going to do so well. I can sense it.
Your sarcasm is unwanted.
Sarcasm is ALWAYS wanted.
Aight, I'm joining. 1 -> 2 or whatever.
You people are killing me.
EDIT: How many points?
I made a typo, but I meant put me down for 10. You can tell past that, I believe. I don't know how this shit works.
Maybe you could read the OP to see how this shit works. That's kind of what the OP is there for, I'm confused how you even knew there was a contest without it, honestly.
Damn it, this site's best insulter just insulted me. I read it, I put my points down, but didn't understand it fully. That's what 10 -> 20 was. Yes, I know, I am shit.
Minimum bet is 25, but you can bet up 125. (Or more if you submit more than one entry)
You might as well go for 125 since you get the points back as long as you submit something and win.
Damn, I really am bad at this. I'll go for 50...
Okay then 50 it is.
Now remember since you went into debt, you also need to win in order to get your bet back. But I'm sure you'll be able to do it.
End, I'm pretty sure he typoed again. He meant 500.
I'm actually considering that now.
You'll definitely increase your odds of winning.
Well, I love debt. You can tell from my points.
Uh, reviewing my ballads. They have imagery, but they seem to be more plot than imagery. Is that a good thing?
If you don't think your ballads are good enough you could do four more for another 500 points to increase your odds of winning.
Let me know if you wish to do this and I can help you out.
I may be crazy, but I'm not insane.
That's debatable, at this point.
The contest seems to use a very, very loose definition of ballads however. It may be a factor in judging but it seems difficult to actually get disqualified.
You aren't crazy or insane.
You're damned.
The title is supposed to be in the post itself, not in the subject line, right?
@EndMaster Being a bit of a rat here, but you put Lance down for 125, but he only has 75 points deducted.
Yep, fixed. Thanks.
Remember, it's not ratting if you're reporting to me, it's upholding the integrity of the site!
What's the max Play Length for a short story? I get carried away when I write...
Are you writing a CYOA ballad?
"Contestants may write their entry in the form of: poem, short story, or CYOA ballad. "
Well, anyway, there's no max or min according to the previous posts.
Yeah, but what would make it considered a short story? If I wrote over 1000 words, it's not a short story, mostly.
I read somewhere that for competitions, it's usually 1,000-5,000. Don't worry too much about it. Just make sure you have a good plot, imagery, and possibly rhythmic pattern.
Goddamn it >~<
*innocent look as I take out notepad* So... Why is that?
>~< my "short" stories might be longer than 7.5k
I need to reclassify some of my stuff now.
Wasn't really speaking of my poem since my poem is rather...short compared to the others I've seen.
I was thinking of some of my stories I've posted somewhere else that I've said were "short" stories xD
...So you're saying my 15.000 word rhyming CYOA ballad written in pyrrhic spondaic hexameter doesn't count as a short story?
I was also totally not bluffing to try and scare the competition, please don't get high expectations. Okay, will do.
Basically think of it like sex, it’s all about the quality and focus, not how big your dick or tits happen to be. Yeah it helps, but if you're just flopping it about and not really using it effectively then you just end up with a subpar experience.
Also you get bonus points for being in rhythm with your partner.
Nice analogy.
All I asked was if there was a limit for a short story...then this...
Uhhh..... That would just be in the CYOA form, not short story form.
Something inside me just died. I hope this is a joke.
Canines do struggle with literature and writing, but never let it be said we haven't tried.
I'm not a gosh darn cat. Jeezus. ;-; I'm just a half-human fox making my way through CYS. *is killed by tcount*
Ben 25
Blaze 100
Brad 125
Crescent 200
I just realized that the deadline is Dec 19 (not 13 as I had thought). *facedesk*
Did you guys put up the thread for entries yet?
Hello! I would love to enter! This will be so much fun Put me down for 100Pts.
The thread is being put up today, right? :)
Hentai...Cats? o-o
Please tell me that is not what it sounds like.
I am too scared to be the first to post. :/
Dear god. I am pathetic.
In my defense, it is truly a terrible ballad compared to all the ones I've seen :) so I have the right to be nervous xD
There are moments when something unfinished is potentially better than something finished :P
It applies completely to mine. XD Mine lacks good imagery.
Mine lacks a coherent plot, and good imagery >~<
Hewlp me. I can't write poems. WHY DID I SIGN UP FOR THIS AGAIN? D:
Remorse hangs like a dark and bitter fruit T_T
Yes. Yes I can do worse.
And just because the ballad is on a certain topic, does not make it bad. :P
And the reverse is true as well.
Candles aren't terrible. Tons of good imagery can come from them. I love candles. They smell nice, and.......THE FIRE....*laughs maniacally*
My road to salvation. Too bad I'm too busy to post anything today. Shame too. I wanted to be first.
@Bucky Are CYOA ballads viewed more favorably than other formats in the judging of this contest? Like, if two ballads were of equal quality, but one was a CYOA, would the storygame win?
Feedback thread is up.
Oh. Feedback thread. I am literally scared right now T_T
Nice...
*Hides in the corner, waiting to get bad reviews and have people throw tomatoes*
Yours was better than mine so *shrugs*
Oh golly, put me in for 125.
I know I said I'd post today, but I'll probably be scrapping my second entry and the third one I'd started.
The CYOA I may put up later but it was a just for fun thing and not really a ballad, I don't want it associated with the contest.
I have an urge to submit another entry...or two...>~>
Seto! *facedesk*
What? D:
Well, you've got the points...
That is true xD
I feel like such an outlier... I only have 500 points while everyone else is in their thousands XD
Except T Count.
Well, read stories and get points :)
I have found the answer to life!
Oh yeah? What if I bet 500 more points? Then I'd be in my negative thousands. Ha!
Do it. Do it, I dare you. As a dog, I double dog dare you to do it,
You ARE insane...
Yes, Debt Hell is nice this time of year.
... You're forgetting me... ;-;
Since this thread is slowing down a little and there aren't really any major examples of ballads in the OP, just slapping down a link to a classic.
Rime of the Ancient Mariner
This and Beowulf are the first things I think of when I think of ballads. Anyone else have a favorite?
Hm.. I want to write another ballad. Put me down for 75. :) *is going insane*
(Hopefully the last update on this)
That is a lot of people. Did the people who signed up all already submit an entry? Who shall fall to shame?
Yeh T.T
I need mah five extra points.
Ugh, now I have to go back and add all this extra shit. Bucky's a fucking retard for putting in that clause and you're a fucking snitch for calling attention to it.
You all should be grateful I'm giving you your points back at all. I hate all of you.
Lol.
Well, there would be no point in giving up 125 points as a bet to get 125 points would there xD
That's like walking into a store and saying, "Hey, I'll give you ten bucks and write you a ballad, but in return, you have to give me ten bucks."
Oddly I would have thought Seto would notice first.
"We also both have more points then you"
That was a low blow. xD
Had to deduct points from you and Will since I initially gave you too many. Hopefully, you and your family will be able to make it through the winter.
If mizals family dies, EndMaster will just have more souls to eat guide, and he already has enough on his plate to do
Hopefully they survive.
I actually did notice slightly before sending you "Thank you", but thought it was something for later, not that you'd forgotten. XD
Anyone gonna write another ballad in the next 2.5 hours? You could just do a 25 point one. XD
@EndMaster there's a bonus, as well.
Everyone now has their precious bonus points (Except for the deadbeats, the hopeless and the damned of course)
The Soon To Be SHAMED
As Well As Being Hopeless…
Apparently he just went plum loco at the end considering his last post is:
"I have failed you my master *runs around in circles, laughing maniacly*
Think he'll make another "I'm leaving" post or something?
Wouldn't surprise me. If Negative had at least TRIED, he could have at least gotten back in the positive again.
Would you look at that?
Thank you, my dark liege. I'll use this gift fruitfully.
So, @EndMaster? When can we see an official Wall of SHAME?
Yeah, I'll make one eventually. Probably after all the judging though maybe before.
I am coming to the realization that betting with points I don't have does not work the way I thought/hoped it did. I wrote two ballads and lost points for being greedy and trying to get the max bonus points. Karma? Haha, I had fun writing so still a win.
It's only been a day! Calm your nerves. XD
Oh, and why "winners"??
Will the judges make a review or comment on the individual entries?
The Result Thread is up.
